Who were authorized to carry Lugers in WW2?

[MikeP]

The guys mentioned who retained new matching rigs were those who never ventured far from the flagpole.
"REMFs"-"Fobbits" in today's lingo.
P38s are certainly more reliable and useful than lugers.
The double action feature alone wins the designation.

[Frankenland-Dan]

Kind of an absurd question but illustrative of an ever expanding western populace without either having served in the profession of arms and or knowing anyone who is serving or had previously served. The simple answer to your question is this, the issuance of weapons and equipment to uniformed personnel is based on a table of organization from which the primary tasks of the unit necessitates.

This is to say, only those who had the purpose of carrying a sidearm such as a P08 would be issued one (FJ or otherwise-to believe that every FJ carried a sidearm is absurd). And the comments on matching magazine Sn# to weapons while being absolutely plausible should be relegated to simple happenstance!

[DaveR]

interesting thread. I have a vet returned p08 , 1939 dated with both matching mags, holster and capture papers. oddly enough he had no story with it, and he was the vet that brought it home. I wish I could post it to share. if any one is interested in posting the pic's please msg me.

[Vilja]

The thread reminds of this picture of mine.........I hope that it adds some value to the discussion.

Cheers,
Vilja

[jotuntroll]

Private with squad weapons like MG, Flammenwerfer etc. also (often) where issued pistols.

The Germans called the Luger "Pistole 08" or "08").

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Yes, German SS officers..... Bodes

All Colonels too.